Sven proud at City achievements but Portugal boss Scolari linked with big-money takeover at Eastlands

Tuesday 6 May 2008 16:25 BST

Sven Goran Eriksson's pride in the progress made at Manchester City has not stemmed reports in Portugal suggesting a bid to bring Luiz Felipe Scolari to Eastlands has gathered pace.

• More Premier League news club by club

Eriksson was given a remarkable show of support by City fans during the defeat to Liverpool on Sunday but then admitted he did not expect it to make a difference come the end of the season.

"I don't know whether the players felt they had a point to prove to the owner or anyone else in the game at Liverpool but what I would say is that myself, the coaching staff and everyone who works at the Carrington training ground are a close unit and it has always been like that and I'm very proud of them and what we have achieved," the City boss said in the Manchester Evening News.

Scroll down for more

Swede dreams: Fans show their backing for Sven at Anfield (above and below)

City are guaranteed ninth place in the Barclays Premier League and could climb two places at the weekend with a big win at Middlesbrough and if results go their way.

It means an improvement on last season's 14th-placed finish, although owner Thaksin Shinawatra has been tipped to make a change of manager.

Scroll down for more

Swede dreams: Fans show their backing for Sven at Anfield (above and below)

Old rivals: Then-England boss Eriksson (R) hugs Portugal's Brazillian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari after the final whistle of their international friendly match in Faro, 2004

According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Scolari has been offered a deal that would significantly improve his current salary as boss of Portugal.

The 59-year-old, who previously claimed he had no knowledge of interest from City, said: "I'll speak about my future after Euro 2008."

Despite his position appearing to be undermined, Eriksson insisted: "This is not the toughest time I have had in football. Speculation in football whether it is to do with managers, players, business or politics is always there amongst fans today.

"All I want to see is another City win at Middlesbrough next Sunday then it is the time for talking. I think it is always important in my job to behave in a proper way. Maybe people think I haven't always done that but there are always excuses to behave badly if you choose to and I don't."

Meanwhile, City will receive £350,000 from West Brom after their promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship triggered clauses in the deal that took Ishmael Miller to The Hawthorns in January.